Manchester United drew 1-1 with Manchester City in the first Manchester derby of the Premier League 2 at the Etihad Stadium on Friday night. United took the lead in the 26th minute of the match through Matty Willock with Brahim Diaz equalising for the home side in the 63rd minute of the match. United played well throughout the match, despite City dominating them in possession at times. United broke forward at times, with City looking poor in getting back and thwarting United from taking advantage. Warren Joyce will be proud of his side, which has been left at barebones this summer, with many of the players filling in all over the pitch in order to keep playing as a team. Axel Tuanzebe put in another great shift at the back, partnered with Regan Poole, nearly keeping a clean sheet if it was not for Diaz scoring the equaliser for the home side. United face Derby County at Old Trafford a week on Monday, which should give Warren Joyce and his squad time to recover from tonight’s match and concentrate on getting back to winning ways after two 1-1 draws in the Premier League 2.
Goals: Matty Willock 25′; Brahim Diaz 63′
Manchester United: O’Hara; El Fitouri, Poole, Tuanzebe, Riley; McTominay (Dunne 93′); Scott (Buffonge 69′), Redmond, Willock, Harrop; Mitchell (Hamilton 65′)
Substitutes Not Used: Moutha-Sebtaoui, Doughty
Bookings: Joe Riley 42′, Ethan Hamilton 81′
Manchester United
45 Kieran O’Hara
Had a good game for United's second string. Made a few good saves. Unlucky to concede.
Ratings: Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United – Premier League 2 2016/17
The Libyan right-back played well against his former club, getting forward at times and helping the defence keep City at bay.
38 Axel Tuanzebe
Had a great game for United. Seldom put a foot wrong in defence, but did put a short pass out, which could have cost United, but he regained possession quickly. Going to be some defender in a few years.
Regan Poole
Much like Tuanzebe, the Welshman put in a good shift in the centre of defence. United were rather unlucky to concede just after the hour.
Joe Riley
Riley had a great game, defending well, getting forward at times and hardly putting a foot wrong.
39 Scott McTominay
Played in a few positions for United this evening, putting in a shift before getting a knock in the late stages of the match and being replaced.
Charlie Scott
Played his part in midfield, had a good game. Won a corner for United in the final 20 minutes of the match before being replaced.
42 Matty Willock
Scored United's only goal of the match with a great solo effort. Seemed like he wanted to make an impact and did.
Devonte Redmond
Did what he needed to do during the 1-1 draw against United's bitter rivals. Got forward, helped on the attack and generally tried everything to help United get more out of the game.
46 Josh Harrop
Did well in the three behind the (makeshift) forward. Got himself into a few good positions, helped United get the better of City on a few occasions and worked back to help his side when dealing with City on the attack.
35 Demetri Mitchell
Led the line from the first kick and tried to get the better of City, but his attempts were not breaking through. Got himself into a few good positions as did his teammates. Replaced after City equalised.
Substitutes
Ethan Hamilton
Replaced Mitchell. Made his debut in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, got his second appearance today. Played well and generally did what he needed to do.
DJ Buffonge
Replaced Scott. After a great display for the U18's last weekend, Buffonge got the nod in the U23's this evening, threatened at times and tried to get United back in the lead.
Max Dunne
Replaced McTominay. Came on in the final minute of the match, not enough time to make an impact in the match.
